Apparatus and methods for enabling information to be read from a touch screen apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method and electronic device, the apparatus comprising: a memory element configured to store information; a switching element coupled to the memory element; wherein the switching element is configured to be switched from a first state to a second state in response to an input signal provided by a capacitive touch screen and wherein when the switching element is in the second state the information can be read from the memory element by the capacitive touch screen.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application was originally filed as PCT Application No.PCT/FI2015/050504 filed Jul. 16, 2015, which claims priority benefitfrom EP Application No. 14179576.5, filed Aug. 1, 2014.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Examples of the present disclosure relate to apparatus, methods andcomputer programs for enabling information to be read from an apparatus.In particular, they relate to apparatus, methods and computer programsfor enabling information to be read from a memory element provided in anidentification tag or smart label.

BACKGROUND

Apparatus such as RFID (radio frequency identification) tags and NFC(near field communication) labels or other smart labels are known. Suchapparatus may be attached to goods or other objects to enable themovement of the goods to be monitored. In some examples the tags andlabels may comprise sensors which may also enable the environmentalconditions of the goods or other objects to be monitored.

It is currently not possible to fabricate RFID tags and NFC labelssolely by using cost-effective mass-printing methods because such tagsand labels require complex circuitry to enable the data to becommunicated between the tag or label and reader via modulation of anelectromagnetic field.

Therefore it is useful to provide an apparatus which may be used as atag or smart label and which can be manufactured using low costtechniques such as mass printing methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided an apparatus comprising: a memory elementconfigured to store information; a switching element coupled to thememory element; wherein the switching element is configured to beswitched from a first state to a second state in response to an inputsignal provided by a capacitive touch screen and wherein when theswitching element is in the second state the information can be readfrom the memory element by the capacitive touch screen.

In some examples the memory element may be configured to storeidentification information.

In some examples the memory element may comprise a sensor element andmay be configured to store information obtained by the sensor element.

In some examples the memory element and the switching element may beconfigured to enable an electrode to be connected and disconnected toground.

In some examples the apparatus may comprise a plurality of memoryelements and a plurality of switching elements.

In some examples the apparatus may be configured to be positionedadjacent to a capacitive touch screen.

In some examples the switching element may be configured to be switchedfrom the first state to the second state by light emitted from thecapacitive touch screen. A plurality of switching elements may beprovided and different switching elements may be configured to beswitched from the first state to the second state by differentwavelengths of light.

In some examples the switching element may comprise a transistor and aswitching component. The transistor may comprise an electrochemicaltransistor.

In some examples the apparatus may further comprise at least onereference electrode wherein the reference electrode is configured toenable the capacitive touch screen to determine the positions of theswitching elements.

In some examples the apparatus may be transparent so that the dataobtained by the capacitive touch screen may be displayed on thecapacitive touch screen and viewed through the apparatus.

In some examples the apparatus may comprise a power supply.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided an identification tag comprising an apparatus asdescribed above.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided a method comprising: providing a memory elementconfigured to store information; coupling a switching element to thememory element; wherein the switching element is configured to beswitched from a first state to a second state in response to an inputsignal provided by a capacitive touch screen and wherein when theswitching element is in the second state the data can be read from thememory element by the capacitive touch screen.

In some examples the memory element may be configured to storeidentification information.

In some examples the memory element may comprise a sensor element andmay be configured to store information obtained by the sensor element.

In some examples the memory element and the switching element may beconfigured to enable an electrode to be connected and disconnected toground.

In some examples the method may further comprise providing a pluralityof memory elements and a plurality of switching elements.

In some examples the method may further comprise providing the memoryelement and the switching element within an apparatus configured to bepositioned adjacent to a capacitive touch screen.

In some examples the switching element may be configured to be switchedfrom the first state to the second state by light emitted from thecapacitive touch screen. A plurality of switching elements may beprovided and different switching elements may be configured to beswitched from the first state to the second state by differentwavelengths of light.

In some examples the switching element may comprise a transistor and aswitching component. The transistor comprises an electrochemicaltransistor.

In some examples the method may further comprise providing at least onereference electrode wherein the reference electrode is configured toenable the capacitive touch screen to determine the positions of theswitching elements.

In some examples the memory element and the switching element may beprovided within an apparatus and the apparatus is transparent so thatthe data obtained by the capacitive touch screen may be displayed on thecapacitive touch screen and viewed through the apparatus.

In some examples the method may further comprise providing a powersupply.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided an electronic device comprising: processingcircuitry; and memory circuitry including computer program code; thememory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with theprocessing circuitry, cause the electronic device at least to perform;detecting an apparatus overlaying a capacitive touch screen; determininga position of a switching element within the apparatus; activating thecapacitive touch screen in a region underneath the switching element toenable data to be read from the apparatus.

In some examples the memory circuitry and the computer program code maybe configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronicdevice to determine a position of at least one reference electrode anduse the position of the reference electrode to determine the position ofthe switching elements.

In some examples activating the capacitive touch screen may compriseactivating pixels in the region of the capacitive touch screenunderneath the switching element.

In some examples the memory circuitry and the computer program code maybe configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronicdevice to determine the position of a plurality of switching elements.The memory circuitry and the computer program code may be configured to,with the processing circuitry, cause the electronic device to activatethe areas of the capacitive touch screen underneath a plurality ofswitching elements sequentially.

In some examples the memory circuitry and the computer program code maybe configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronicdevice to activate the areas of the capacitive touch screen underneath aplurality of switching elements simultaneously.

In some examples the memory circuitry and the computer program code maybe configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronicdevice to read data from the apparatus and enable the data to bedisplayed on the capacitive touch screen.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided a communications device comprising an electronicsdevice as described above.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided a method comprising: detecting an apparatusoverlaying a capacitive touch screen; determining a position of aswitching element within the apparatus; activating the capacitive touchscreen in a region underneath the switching element to enable data to beread from the apparatus.

In some examples the method may further comprise determining a positionof at least one reference electrode and using the position of thereference electrode to determine the position of the switching elements.

In some examples activating the capacitive touch screen may compriseactivating pixels in the region of the capacitive touch screenunderneath the switching element.

In some examples the method may further comprise determining theposition of a plurality of switching elements. In some examples themethod may comprise activating the areas of the capacitive touch screenunderneath a plurality of switching elements sequentially. In someexamples the method may comprise activating the areas of the capacitivetouch screen underneath a plurality of switching elementssimultaneously.

In some examples the method may comprise reading data from the apparatusand enabling the data to be displayed on the capacitive touch screen.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided a computer program comprising computer programinstructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, enable:detecting an apparatus overlaying a capacitive touch screen; determininga position of a switching element within the apparatus; activating thecapacitive touch screen in a region underneath the switching element toenable data to be read from the apparatus.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided a computer program comprising program instructionsfor causing a computer to perform the method as described above.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided a physical entity embodying the computer programas described above.

According to various but not necessarily all examples of the disclosurethere may be provided an electromagnetic carrier signal carrying thecomputer program as described above.

According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of thedisclosure there may be provided examples as claimed in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful forunderstanding the detailed description, reference will now be made byway of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example apparatus and communicationdevice;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate example apparatus;

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate example switching elements;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate example switching elements;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example apparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example apparatus;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example electronic device;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example communication device;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section through a capacitive touch screen;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of controlling an electronic device; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of providing an apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures illustrate an apparatus 1 comprising: a memory element 3configured to store information 8; a switching element 5 coupled to thememory element 3; wherein the switching element 5 is configured to beswitched from a first state to a second state in response to an inputsignal 6 provided by a capacitive touch screen 7 and wherein when theswitching element 5 is in the second state the information 8 can be readfrom the memory element 3 by the capacitive touch screen 7.

The Figures also illustrate an electronic device 71 comprising:processing circuitry 73; and memory circuitry 75 including computerprogram code 76; the memory circuitry 75 and the computer program code76 configured to, with the processing circuitry 73, cause the electronicdevice 71 at least to perform; detecting an apparatus 1 overlaying acapacitive touch screen 7; determining a position of a switching element5 within the apparatus 1; activating the capacitive touch screen 7 in aregion underneath the switching element 5 to enable information 8 to beread from the apparatus 1.

The apparatus 1 may be used to provide an identification tag or smartlabel. The apparatus 1 may be used to provide information 8 about goodsor objects to which the apparatus 1 is attached. The information 8 couldbe identification information or information obtained by sensors or anyother suitable information. The information 8 which is obtained by thesensors may provide an indication of the environmental conditions of thegoods or objects. The electronic device 71 may be configured to controla capacitive touch screen 7 to read the information from the apparatus1.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example apparatus 1 and a communicationdevice 81. FIG. 1A illustrates an example apparatus 1 overlaying acommunication device 81. FIG. 1B illustrates a cross section through theapparatus 1 and the communication device 81.

The apparatus 1 may be an identification tag or smart label or any othersuitable type of apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 may be configured to storeinformation and enable the information to be read out using a capacitivetouch screen 7. The apparatus 1 may be configured so that when theapparatus 1 is provided overlaying or adjacent to a capacitive touchscreen 7, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the information stored inthe apparatus 1 may be read out by the capacitive touch screen 7.

The apparatus 1 comprises a memory element 3 and a switching element 5.In some examples the apparatus 1 may comprise a plurality of memoryelements 3 and switching elements 5.

The memory element 3 may comprise any means which may be configured tostore information. In some examples the memory element 3 may beconfigured to store identification information.

In some examples the memory element 3 may comprise a sensor element. Thesensor element may comprise any means which may be configured to detecta parameter and provide an output indicative of the detected parameter.The memory element 3 may be configured to store the information obtainedby the sensor element.

The sensor element may comprise a material which may be configured toundergo a change in electrical properties in response to exposure to aparameter or combination of parameters. For example, the sensor elementmay be configured to become more conductive when it is exposed toparameters such as increased temperature or levels of humidity.

The memory element 3 may be coupled to the switching element 5. In someexamples the memory element 3 may be coupled to the switching element sothat a direct current path is provided between the memory element 3 andthe switching element 5.

The switching element 5 may comprise any means which may be configuredto be switched between a first state and a second state. In one of thestates the switching element may have a high resistivity and in theother state the switching element may have a low resistivity. This mayallow current to flow through the switching element in one state but notin the other state.

The switching element 5 may be configured to be switched from the firststate to the second state in response to an input signal 6 provided bythe capacitive touch screen 7. The input signal 6 may comprise lightwhich may be emitted by the capacitive touch screen 7. In such examplesthe switching elements 5 may comprise a photo diode, a phototransistor,a light dependent resistor, a photoactive junction, a pyroelectricelement or any other means which may be configured to undergo a changein resistivity in response to incident light.

In some examples the switching element 5 may be configured to betriggered by a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths of light. Forinstance the switching element 5 may be configured to be triggered in byred, green or blue light. In some examples different switching elements5 within the same apparatus 1 may be configured to be triggered bydifferent wavelengths of light. For instance a first switching element 5may be triggered by red light, a second switching element 5 may betriggered by blue light and a third switching element 5 may be triggeredby green light.

In other examples the switching element 5 may be configured to beswitched from the first state to the second state in response to otherparameters which may be generated by the capacitive touch screen 7 suchas heat or any other suitable parameter which may be provided in aninput signal from the capacitive touch screen 7.

The switching element 5 and the memory element 3 may be configured toenable a conductive electrode to be connected to or disconnected toground. When the conductive electrode is connected to ground this mayenable the electrode to be detected by the capacitive touch screen 7.This may enable information to be read from the apparatus 1 as describedbelow.

In the examples of FIGS. 1A and 1B the apparatus 1 comprises a flat orsubstantially flat substrate 9. The memory elements 3 and the switchingelements 5 of the apparatus 1 may be printed on the substrate 9. As thesubstrate 9 is flat or substantially flat this enables the apparatus 1to be placed over the surface of a capacitive touch screen 7. This mayalso enable the apparatus 1 to be easily attached to goods or otherobjects. It is to be appreciated that in other examples the apparatus 1may have a different shape, for example, the apparatus 1 may be flexiblewhich may enable it to be deformed by a user.

In some examples the apparatus 1 may comprise means for attaching theapparatus 1 to goods or the packaging of goods. For example theapparatus 1 may comprise an adhesive label or any other suitable meanswhich enables the apparatus 1 to be adhered to another item. In otherexamples the apparatus 1 may be printed directly onto the goods or thepackaging of the goods. This may enable the apparatus 1 to be used tomonitor the movement and/or environmental conditions of the goods.

The communication device 81 comprises a housing 11 and a capacitivetouch screen 7. The communication device 81 controlling circuitry whichmay be as described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The housing11 may be configured to store the controlling circuitry and otherelectronic components of the communication device 81. The capacitivetouch screen 7 may form part of the housing 11 so that the capacitivetouch screen 7 forms part of the outer surface of the communicationdevice 81.

The capacitive touch screen 7 may comprise a display 15 and a sensorarray 13. The display 15 and sensor array 13 may be as described belowwith reference to FIG. 9.

When the apparatus is provided overlaying or adjacent to the capacitivetouch screen 7 the capacitive touch screen 7 may be configured toactivate the areas of the display 15 underneath the switching elements 5of the apparatus 1. The display 15 may be activated by illuminating oneor more pixels which are positioned underneath the switching element 5.Pixels which are not positioned underneath the switching element 5 maybe turned off. This generates an input signal 6 which may be detected bythe switching element 5. The input signal 6 may cause the switchingelement 5 to be switched from a first state to a second state. This mayenable one or more electrodes to be connected to or disconnected fromground. This may be detected by the capacitive touch screen 7 and mayenable information 8 stored in the apparatus 1 to be read by thecapacitive touch screen 7.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate example apparatus 1. Theexample apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of electronic components whichmay be printed on a substrate 9. The electronic components may compriseone or more reference electrodes 21, a ground node 23, one or moreactive electrodes 25 and a plurality of memory elements 3 and switchingelements 5. For clarity in FIGS. 2A and 2B the memory elements 3 andswitching elements 5 are illustrated as a single component. Examples ofswitching elements 5 and memory elements 3 which may be used areillustrated in FIGS. 3A to 4B and described below.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B the apparatus 1 may be a smart labelwhich may be configured to enable the environmental conditions of goodsand other objects to which the apparatus 1 is attached be monitored. Inthe examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B the apparatus 1 is configured to sensethe parameters of relative humidity, temperature and gas. The memoryelements 3 may comprise sensor elements which may be configured todetect the respective parameters.

In some examples the apparatus 1 may also comprise one or moreidentification nodes. In such examples the memory elements 3 which arecoupled to the identification nodes need not comprise any sensorelements.

The reference electrodes 21 may provide means for enabling a capacitivetouch screen 7 to determine the positions of the switching elements 5.

The reference electrodes 21 and the ground node 23 may comprise portionsof conductive material. The portions of conductive material may be sizedso that the conductive region can be detected by the capacitive touchscreen 7. The reference electrodes 21 may be connected to the groundnode 23. The reference electrodes 21 may be connected to the ground node23 by a conductive wire or trace 27. The conductive wire or trace 27 mayprovide a direct current path between the reference electrodes 21 andthe ground node 23.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B the reference electrodes 21 and theground node 23 are permanently connected to ground. There are noswitching elements 5 or sensor elements provided between the referenceelectrodes 21 and the ground node 23. This enables the capacitive touchscreen 7 to detect the positions of the reference electrodes 21 withouthaving to trigger a switch 5.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B the reference electrodes 21 and theground node 23 are provided in the corners of the apparatus 1. It is tobe appreciated that the reference electrodes 21 and the ground node 23may be provided in other positions in other examples of the disclosure.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B two reference electrodes 21 and aground node 23 are provided. It is to be appreciated that other numbersof reference electrodes 21 may be provided in other examples of thedisclosure.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B the apparatus 1 also comprises aplurality of active electrodes 25. In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2Bthree active electrodes 25 are provided. Each of the active electrodes25 are associated with a parameter which may be sensed by one or moresensor elements. The sensor elements may be provided within the memoryelements 3 which are coupled to the respective active electrodes 25.

In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B the active electrodes 25 areassociated with the parameters of temperature, relative humidity andgas. It is to be appreciated that in other examples the activeelectrodes 25 may be associated with different parameters. In theexamples of FIGS. 2A and 2B each of the active electrodes 25 areassociated with a different parameter. In some examples one or more ofthe active electrodes 25 may be associated with the same parameter.

The active electrodes 25 may comprise portions of conductive material.The portions of conductive material may be sized so that the conductiveregion of the active electrode 25 can be detected by a capacitive touchscreen 7. One or more conductive traces or wires 27 may be providedbetween the active electrodes 25 and the ground node 23. The activeelectrodes 25 may be connected or disconnected to the ground node 23depending on whether or not the switching element 5 is in a first stateor a second state and whether or not the sensor elements within thememory elements 3 have sensed a parameter.

In both the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B a plurality of switchingelements 5 and memory elements 3 are coupled to each of the activeelectrodes 25.

In the example of FIG. 2A the plurality of switching elements 5 andmemory elements 3 are arranged in parallel. In FIG. 2A a plurality ofconductive traces or wires 27 are provided between each of the activeelectrodes 25 and ground. A single switching element 5 or memory element3 may be provided in each of the conductive traces or wires 27.

In the example of FIG. 2A the switching elements 5 may be configured tohave a high resistivity when the switching elements 5 are in the firststate in which the input signal 6 from the capacitive touch screen 7 isnot provided. This may prevent current flowing from the active electrode25 to the ground node 23 when the switching elements 5 are notactivated. In such examples the switching elements 5 may compriseorganic thin film transistors (OTFT) or any other suitable means.

When the switching elements 5 are activated by the light from thecapacitive touch screen 7 this switches the switching element 5 to thesecond state. In the second state the switching element 5 has a lowresistivity so the switching element allows current to flow between theactive electrode 25 and the ground node 23 if the sensor element isabove a threshold value.

In the example of FIG. 2B the plurality of switching elements 5 arearranged in series. In FIG. 2B a single conductive trace or wire 27 isprovided between each of the active electrodes 25 and ground. Aplurality of switching elements 5 and memory elements 3 may be providedin each of the conductive traces or wires 27. Each of the memoryelements 3 may comprise a sensor element which has a differentsensitivity to a given parameter.

In the example of FIG. 2B the switching elements 5 may be configured tohave a low resistivity when the switching elements 5 are in the firststate in which the input signal 6 from the capacitive touch screen 7 isnot provided. This may allow current to flow from the active electrode25 to the ground node 23 when the switching elements 5 are notactivated. In such examples the switching elements 5 may compriseelectrochemical transistors (ECTs) or any other suitable means.

When the switching elements 5 are activated by the light from thecapacitive touch screen 7 this switches the switching element 5 to thesecond state. In the second state the switching element 5 has a highresistivity so the switching element prevents current from flowingbetween the active electrode 25 and the ground node 23 if the sensorelement is above a threshold value.

Therefore by actuating each of the switching elements 5 individually thecapacitive touch screen 7 can read out information from the apparatus 1by detecting whether or not the active electrodes 25 are connected toground when the respective switch elements 5 are actuated.

In some examples the capacitive touch screen 7 may be configured to readeach of the switching elements 5 sequentially so that the capacitivetouch screen 7 may activate one of the switching elements 5 at a time.In some examples one or more of the switching elements may be configuredto be activated simultaneously. For instance when switching elements 5are connected to different active electrode 25 they may be activatedsimultaneously. This may enable the capacitive touch screen 7 to readinformation 8 associated with plurality of active electrodes 25 at thesame time.

In the examples of FIGS. 2A and 2B the switching elements 5 must bespaced sufficiently far apart to prevent the wrong switching elements 5from being activated when the pixels of display 15 are turned on. Insome examples the switching elements 5 may be spaced from each other bya distance of around 1 mm. It is to be appreciated that the spacingbetween the switching elements 5 may be depend upon the wavelength ofthe light which is used to trigger the switching elements 5.

In some examples the switching elements 5 may be configured so that theyare only switched between the first and second state in response tolight having a particular wavelength. In such examples adjacentswitching elements 5 may be configured to be triggered by differentwavelengths or ranges of wavelengths of light. In such examples when thecapacitive touch screen 7 activates the display 15 underneath theswitching element 5 the display 15 may be configured so that only thepixels corresponding to the correct wavelength of light are activated.For instance if the switching element 5 is configured to be triggered bygreen light then only the green pixels need to be illuminated. This mayprevent the wrong switching element 5 being activated and may allow theswitching elements 5 to be positioned closer together on the apparatus1.

In some examples the apparatus 1 may be provided with a matt blackfinish. The matt black finish may be configured to absorb stray lightand reduce the likelihood of the wrong switching elements 5 beingactivated.

FIGS. 3A to 3C schematically illustrate example switching elements 5which may be used in example apparatus 1. The examples of FIGS. 3A to 3Cshow a binary bit switching element 5.

In FIGS. 3A to 3C the switching elements 5 comprise a switchingcomponent 35 and a transistor 37. The switching component 35 maycomprise any means which may be configured to be triggered by the inputsignal 6 from the capacitive touch screen 7. In FIG. 3A and 3C theswitching component 35 comprises photodiode or photo transistor. In FIG.3B the switching component 35 comprises a pyroelectric component or aphotoactive junction, which can generate a voltage when illuminated.

In the examples of FIGS. 3a to 3C a power source 33 is provided. Thepower source 33 may comprise any suitable means. The power source 33 maycomprise a battery, a photo electric device which may be configured toprovide a voltage when illuminated or any other suitable means.

Each of the switching components 35 of FIGS. 3A to 3C is connected to agate electrode 31 of the transistor 37. The transistor 37 may beconnected between a ground electrode 23 and an active electrode 25. Inthe examples of FIGS. 3A to 3C a first conductive trace 32 provides aconnection to the ground electrode and a second conductive trace 34provides a connection to the active electrode 25. In the example of FIG.2B a plurality of switching elements 5 may be connected in series and sothere may be other switching elements 5 connected between the transistor37 and the ground electrode 23 and/or the active electrode 25.

The switching element 5 is configured so that when an input signal 6 isobtained from a capacitive touch screen 7 this will enable a voltage tobe provided to the gate electrode 31 in dependence on the state of theswitching component 35. If the switching component 35 connects the gateelectrode 31 to the power supply 33 then a voltage is provided betweenthe gate electrode 31 and the source and the transistor 37 is switchedon. If the switching component 35 does not connect the gate electrode 31to the power supply 33 then a voltage is not provided between the gateelectrode 31 and the source and the transistor 37 remains off.

In examples where the transistor 37 comprises an electrochemicaltransistor the electrochemical transistor is in an on state when the novoltage is provided between the gate electrode 31 and the source. Insuch examples the situation as described above would be reversed so thatif the switching component 35 connects the gate electrode 31 to thepower supply 33 then a voltage is provided between the gate electrode 31and the source and the transistor 37 is switched off. If the switchingcomponent 35 does not connect the gate electrode 31 to the power supply33 then a voltage is not provided between the gate electrode 31 and thesource and the transistor 37 is switched on.

The examples of FIGS. 3A to 3C provide binary bit switching elements 5.The switching elements may be in one of two states depending on whetheror not the capacitive touch screen 7 has triggered the photo detector.Such switching elements 5 may be suitable for use in ID tags or othertypes of apparatus 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate example switching elements 5which comprise one or more sensor elements 41. The switching elements 5comprises a power source 33, a switching component 35 and a transistor37 which may be as described above in relation to FIGS. 3A to 3C. Thetransistor 37 may be connected between a ground electrode 23 and anactive electrode 25 as described above.

In the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B the sensor elements 41 may compriseany material which changes resistance in response to a sensed parameter.In the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B the sensor element 41 is provided ina Wheatstone bridge arrangement 43. The Wheatstone bridge arrangementwill only provide a voltage at its output (V_(out)) when the resistanceof the sensor element 41 deviates from the resistance of the referenceresistor 45.

In the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B the switching components 35 maycomprise a photoactive component.

In the examples of FIGS. 4A and 4B the resistance between the twoconductive traces 32 and 34 will only switch between the low resistanceand high resistance states when the switching component has beenactuated by the input signal 6 from the capacitive touch screen 7 andwhen the Wheatstone bridge arrangement provides a voltage V_(out).

In the example of FIG. 4A the switching component 35 comprises aphotodiode which may be configured to drop in resistance whenilluminated. The allows the voltage V_(out) to be coupled to the gateelectrode 31 and allows the transistor 37 to be switched between an onand off states.

In the example of FIG. 4B the switching component 35 is provided withina second Wheatstone bridge arrangement 47. The switching component 35comprises a photodiode which may be configured to change in resistancewhen illuminated. This will cause the resistance of the switchingcomponent 35 to deviate from the resistance of the reference resistor 45and enable the second Wheatstone bridge arrangement 47 to provide avoltage to the first Wheatstone bridge arrangement 43. If the resistanceof the sensor element 41 also deviates from the reference electrode 45then the voltage V_(out) will be coupled to the transistor 37.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of how the apparatus 1 in FIG. 2A could beconfigured. In particular the example of FIG. 5 shows how the relativehumidity active electrode 25 could be detected. It is to be appreciatedthat this could be used with any of the active electrodes 25

The relative humidity active electrode 25 is indicated by the dashedline 51. In the example of FIG. 5 the relative humidity active electrode25 comprises four electrodes 53. Each of the four electrodes 53 isconnected to a switching element 5 and memory element 3.

Each of the sensor elements 41 within the memory elements 3 may have adifferent sensitivity to relative humidity. This will cause each of thesensor elements 41 to be switched on at different stages of exposure torelative humidity. In other examples the sensor elements may beconfigured to detect other parameters such as temperature, gas or anyother parameter. In such examples each of the sensor elements may have adifferent sensitivity to the parameter which is to be sensed.

In some examples the switching elements 5 may all be triggeredsimultaneously. This may enable more than one of the electrodes 53 to beconnected to ground at the same time. The capacitive touch screen 7 maybe configured to determine which of the sensor elements 41 have beentriggered by determining the position of the detected touch location.

As the apparatus 1 is exposed to more relative humidity more of thesensor elements 41 will be turned on. For instance, in the example ofFIG. 5 when the apparatus 1 is exposed to low levels of humidity onlythe first sensor element 41 will be actuated. As the apparatus 1 isexposed to humidity for a longer period of time each of the sensorelements 2, 3 and 4 will become actuated in turn. As more of the sensorelements 41 are turned on each of the electrodes 53 become connected toground in turn. The will cause the position of the conductive portion asdetected by the capacitive touch screen 7 to move upwards as indicatedby the arrow in FIG. 5.

In other examples the switching elements 5 may be triggered individuallyto determine which sensor elements 41 have been turned on. In suchexamples the position of the individual electrodes 53 may be detected bythe capacitive touch screen 7.

The configuration of FIG. 5 may allow for a higher resolution of theparameters to be detected as different sensor elements may be triggeredby different levels of exposure to a parameter.

Although the example of FIG. 5 refers to the relative humidity activeelectrode 25 it is to be appreciated that the arrangement could be usedto detect any suitable parameter. Similarly although four switchingelements 5 and memory elements 3 are illustrated in FIG. 5 any number ofswitching elements 5 and memory elements 3 may be used in otherexamples.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example apparatus 1 which may be used in someexamples. The apparatus 1 may be as described above in relation to FIGS.1 to 5. The apparatus of Fig. has been simplified to include only onephotodiode and one electrochemical transistor. The apparatus 1 maycomprise one or more memory elements 3 and switching elements 5 asdescribed above.

The apparatus 1 of FIG. 6 may be formed using any suitable methods suchas printing or lamination.

The apparatus 1 comprises a flat or substantially flat substrate 9. Thesubstrate 9 may be a laminar substrate 9. The substrate 9 may comprise aplurality of layers. In the example of FIG. 6 the substrate 9 comprisesthree layers. The substrate 9 comprises a first flexible layer 63 and asecond flexible layer 67 and a layer of electrolyte 69. It is to beappreciated that in other examples the substrate 9 may comprise anynumber of layers.

The flexible layers 63, 67 may comprise any means upon which theelectronic components of the apparatus 1 may be printed. The flexiblelayers 63, 67 may then be adhered together to form an apparatus 1. Insome examples the electronic components may be printed on the flexiblelayers 63, 67 so that the electronic components are provided inside ofthe apparatus 1. This may prevent the electronic components from beingdamaged.

Any suitable materials may be used for the flexible layers 63, 67.Examples of materials which may be uses comprises Polyethylene2,6-naphthalate (PEN). Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyimide (PI),Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polyurethane (PU),Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Polystyrene (PS), natural rubbers suchas; Polyisoprenes, Polybutadienes, Polychloraprenes, Polyisobutylenes,Nitrile Butadienes and Styrene Butadienes, saturated elastomericmaterials such as; Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Silicone rubbers,Fluorosilicone rubbers, Fluoroelastomers, Perfluoroelastomers, EthyleneVinyl Acetate (EVA) Thermoplastic Elastomers such as Styrene Blockcopolymers, Thermoplastic polyolefins, Thermoplastic vulcanisates,Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Thermoplastic Copolyesters, Meltprocessable rubbers. Metal foils may also be used, in particularplanarised metal foils on which TFT's and displays can be created.

In some examples the flexible layers 63, 67 of the substrate 9 may alsobe flexible displays such as Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED),Liquid Crystal (LCD), Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) or otherreflective LCD display, ElectroPhoretic (EP), Electroluminescent (EL),Electrowetting (EW) Electrochromic (EC), or other optical modulationeffects such as Interference based on frustrated internal reflection orFabry Perot cavities.

The apparatus 1 of FIG. 6 comprises a power source 61. The power source61 may comprise any means which may be configured to provide power tothe apparatus 1 or the electrical components within the apparatus 1. Inthe example of FIG. 6 the power source 61 comprises a supercapacitor orbattery. In other examples the power source 61 may comprise, acapacitor, an energy harvesting device or any other suitable means.

In the example of FIG. 6 the power source 61 comprise two electrodes 66.The first electrode 66 of the power source 61 is printed on the firstflexible layer 63 and the second electrode 66 is printed on the secondflexible layer 67. In examples where the power source 61 comprises asupercapacitor then the electrodes 66 may be formed by printing a layerof charge collector and then printing the electrodes 66 over the chargecollector. The charge collector may comprise a film of a conductivemetal such as silver, copper, aluminium or any other suitable material.The electrodes 66 may comprise any suitable material such as activatedcarbon, carbon fibre, carbon nanotubes or any other suitable material.

In examples where the power source 61 comprises a battery such as alithium ion battery. The electrodes may be formed by printing a layer ofcharge collector and then printing the electrodes 66 over the chargecollector. The charge collector may comprise a film of conductive metalsuch as silver, copper, aluminium or any other suitable material. Afirst electrode 66 may comprise printed LiFeO₄ or LiCoO₂ and the secondelectrode 66 may comprise printed graphite. Other materials may be usedin other examples of the disclosure.

In the example of FIG. 6 the electrode 66 of the power source 61 whichis provided on the lower flexible layer 63 may also be used as theground node 23. One or more reference electrodes 21 may be connected tothe reference node 23 as described above. The reference nodes 21 andconductive traces or wires 25 may be printed on the flexible layer 63using any suitable means. The material which is used for the referencenodes 21 and conductive traces or wires 25 may comprise any suitableconductive material such as indium tin oxide. In some examples theconductive material may comprise a transparent conductive material.

In the example of FIG. 6 the apparatus 1 comprise an electrochemicaltransistor 68. The apparatus of FIG. 6 can incorporate several switchingelements 5 in which case the apparatus 1 may comprise a plurality ofelectrochemical transistor 68.

The electrochemical transistor 68 may comprise source 62 and drainelectrodes 64 and a gate electrode 31. The gate electrode 31 may beconnected to a switching component 35 as described above in relation toFIGS. 3A to 4B. In the example of FIG. 6 the source electrode 62 isconnected to ground 25 by a first conductive trace 32 and the drainelectrode 34 is connected to an active electrode 25 by a secondconductive trace.

The electrodes 31, 62, 64 may comprise carbon or any other suitablematerial. The electrodes 31, 62, 64 may be printed on the lower flexiblelayer 31, 62, 64. In the example of FIG. 6 both the electrodes 31, 62,64 comprise PEDOT:PSS (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Polystyrenesulfonate). The PEDOT:PSS may be printed on the flexible layer 63. Othermaterials may be used in other examples of the disclosure.

The apparatus of FIG. 6 also comprises a photodiode 60. The photodiode60 may comprise any suitable material such as organic or nanowire orquantum dot based materials. The photodiode 60 may be printed on theflexible layer 63.

In addition to the electronic components illustrated in FIG. 6 theapparatus 1 may also comprise additional electronic components such assensing elements 41 and switching elements 5 as described above. Theadditional electronic components may be printed using any suitabletechnique and any suitable material.

Some or all of the electronic components may be covered with adielectric material. The dielectric material may be configured toprevent short circuits within the apparatus 1.

The two flexible layers 63, 67 may be adhered together by a layer ofelectrolyte 69. The electrolyte 69 may be configured to solidify at roomtemperature. In some examples the electrolyte 69 may be provided in acontinuous layer. In such examples the same electrolyte 69 may beprovided within the power source 61 and the electrochemical transistor68. In other examples the electrolyte 67 may be patterned according tothe circuitry. In such examples a different electrolyte may be providedwithin the power source 61 and the electrochemical transistor 68.

The electrolyte may comprise any suitable material such as PVA/H₃Po₄(Poly vinyl acetate/phosphoric acid) or PVA/H₂SO₄ (Poly vinylacetate/sulfate acid) gel electrolyte or any other suitable electrolyte.

A via may be provided to connect the top electrode 66 of the powersource 61 to the circuitry on the bottom flexible layer 63.

In some examples of the apparatus 1 the switching element 5 may comprisea photovoltaic detector such as an organic photovoltaic detector.

The organic photodetector may comprise a top layer. The top layer maycomprise transparent material such as a transparent flexible polymer.The top layer may be coated with a barrier material. The barriermaterial may be configured to prevent moisture or oxygen ingress to thephotovoltaic detector. The barrier material may improve the lifetime ofthe photovoltaic detector.

The photovoltaic detector may also comprise an anode layer, a lightsensitive layer, a hole transport layer and a cathode layer. The anodelayer may comprise a conductive layer which may be configured to extractelectrons from the light sensitive layer. The light sensitive layer maycomprise a material in which electron and hole pairs are generated byincident photons. The hole transport layer may be configured to extractelectron holes from the light sensitive layer and provide the holes tothe conductive cathode layer. A bottom layer may be provide so that thebottom layer and the top layer encapsulate the photovoltaic detector.

The organic photovoltaic detector may be fabricated using any suitablemethod such as roll-to-roll processing as follows. The roll-to-rollprocessing may comprise patterning of a conductive material such asindium tin oxide (ITO) on plastic substrate by printing etching paste.Gravure printing may be used to fabricate PEDOT:PSS and photoactivelayers and evaporation may be used to fabricate the top electrode.

In some examples of the disclosure organic photovoltaic detector may beused as the switching elements within the apparatus 1. In such examples,both the anode for the organic photovoltaic detector as well as thereference electrodes 21 may be patterned from indium tin oxide (ITO) oranother transparent conducting material. Similarly, the PEDOT:PSSprinting can be carried out for both the organic photovoltaic detectorand for the ECTs at the same time.

In some examples the photodetector may comprise a hybridgraphene-quantum dot photodetector. In such examples, the substratematerial supporting the apparatus may comprise SiO₂ or a flexibleinsulating material such as a flexible transparent polymer. The hybridgraphene-quantum dot photodetector may comprise a carbon-based chargetransport layer. In such examples the transparent conductors maycomprise graphene, reduced graphene oxide or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) asthe transparent conductor.

In some examples the light sensitive layer within the photodetector maybe 70-300 nm thick. The light sensitive layer maybe either an n-type orp-type, or a mixture of both materials. Examples of p-type materialscomprise materials such as polythiophene, polypyrrole, polyaniline,polyfluorene, polyphenylene vinylene, polyphenylene. Examples of n-typematerials comprise materials such as fullerenes, dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole (DTP), poly(¹ubstituted dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole)s (PDTPs).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example electronic device 71 which may be used tocontrol a capacitive touch screen 7. The electronic device 71 may beconfigured to control the capacitive touch screen 7 to read information8 from an apparatus 1 as described above.

The electronic device 71 may be, for example, a chip or chip set. Theelectronic device 71 of FIG. 7 may be provided within a communicationsdevice, such as a mobile telephone, a tablet computer or any otherelectronic device which may comprise a user input device such as acapacitive touch screen.

The electronic device 71 comprises controlling circuitry 77. In theillustrated example the controlling circuitry 77 comprises processingcircuitry 73 and memory circuitry 75.

The controlling circuitry 77 provides means for controlling theelectronic device 71. The controlling circuitry 77 may provide means forcontrolling a communications device. The controlling circuitry 73 may beimplemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, forexample, by using executable computer program instructions 76 in one ormore general-purpose or special-purpose processing circuitry 73 that maybe stored on a computer readable storage medium 74 (e.g. disk, memoryetc.) to be executed by such processing circuitry 73.

The controlling circuitry 77 may be configured to enable the electronicdevice 71 to detect an apparatus 1 overlaying a capacitive touch screen7; determine a position of a switching element 5 within the apparatus 1;activate the capacitive touch screen 7 in a region underneath theswitching element 5 to enable data to be read from the apparatus 1.

The processing circuitry 73 may also be configured to write to and readfrom the memory circuitry 75. The processing circuitry 73 may alsocomprise an output interface via which data and/or commands are outputby the processing circuitry 73 and an input interface via which dataand/or commands are input to the processing circuitry 73.

The memory circuitry 75 may be configured to store a computer program 79comprising computer program instructions 76 (computer program code) thatcontrols the operation of the electronic device 71 when loaded into theprocessing circuitry 73. The computer program instructions 76 mayprovide the logic and routines that enable the electronic device 71 toperform the example methods illustrated in FIG. 10. The processingcircuitry 73 by reading the memory circuitry 75 may be able to load andexecute the computer program 79.

The computer program instructions 76 may provide computer readableprogram means configured to control the electronic device 71. Thecomputer program instructions 76 may provide, when loaded into theprocessing circuitry 73; means for detecting an apparatus 1 overlaying acapacitive touch screen 7; means for determining a position of aswitching element 5 within the apparatus 1; means for activating thecapacitive touch screen 7 in a region underneath the switching element 5to enable data to be read from the apparatus 1.

The computer program 79 may arrive at the electronic device 71 via anysuitable delivery mechanism 72. The delivery mechanism 72 may be, forexample, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product74, a memory device, and a record medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, anarticle of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program 79.The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transferthe computer program 79. The electronic device 71 may propagate ortransmit the computer program 79 as a computer data signal.

Although the memory circuitry 75 is illustrated as a single component inFIG. 7 it may be implemented as one or more separate components some orall of which may be integrated/removable and/or may providepermanent/semi-permanent/dynamic/cached storage.

Although the processing circuitry 73 is illustrated as a singlecomponent in FIG. 7 it may be implemented as one or more separatecomponents some or all of which may be integrated/removable.

References to “computer-readable storage medium”, “computer programproduct”, “tangibly embodied computer program” etc. or a “controller”,“computer”, “processor” etc. should be understood to encompass not onlycomputers having different architectures such as single/multi-processorarchitectures and sequential (e.g. Von Neumann)/parallel architecturesbut also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays(FPGA), application specific integration circuits (ASIC), signalprocessing devices and other devices. References to computer programs,instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for aprogrammable processor or firmware such as, for example, theprogrammable content of a hardware device whether instructions for aprocessor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gatearray or programmable logic device etc.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” refers to all of thefollowing:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations inonly analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as(as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) toportions of processor(s)/software (including digital signalprocessor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause anapparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform variousfunctions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of amicroprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, evenif the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in thisapplication, including in any claims. As a further example, as used inthis application, the term “circuitry” would also cover animplementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portionof a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example and if applicable tothe particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit orapplications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or asimilar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, orother network device.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example communication device 81comprising an electronic device 71 according to an example of thedisclosure. Corresponding reference numerals are used for correspondingfeatures.

The communication device 81 may be any device which may be configured toread data from an apparatus 1 such as the apparatus 1 described above.In particular the communication device 81 may be configured to read datafrom an apparatus 1 using a capacitive touch screen.

The communication device 81 may be, for example, a mobile cellulartelephone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, a camera, a gamingdevice, a personal digital assistant, an electronic book reader, apersonal music player, a television or any other suitable communicationdevice 81. The communication device 81 may be a handheld electronicdevice 19 which can be carried in a user's hand or bag. Thecommunication device 81 may be a hand held device such that it is sizedand shaped so that the user can hold the communication device 81 intheir hand while they are using the communication device 81.

It is to be appreciated that only features necessary for theunderstanding of the description are illustrated in FIG. 8. Thecommunication device 81 may comprise additional features that are notillustrated. For example, the communication device 81 may also compriseone or more transmitters and receivers configured to enable wirelesscommunication.

The communication device 81 illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises: a userinterface 85 and an electronic device 71. The electronic device 71 maycomprise controlling circuitry 73 as described above in relation to FIG.7. The user interface 85 may comprise a capacitive touch screen 7. Thecapacitive touch screen 7 may be as illustrated in FIG. 9 and describedbelow.

The controlling circuitry 77 may be configured to control thecommunication device 81 to perform a plurality of different functions.For example, where the electronic device 71 is provided within a mobilecellular telephone the controlling circuitry 77 may be configured tocontrol the communication device 81 to make and receive telephone callsand also to perform other functions such as send messages or accesscommunication networks. The controlling circuitry 77 may be configuredto receive input commands from the user interface 85 and also to provideoutput commands to the user interface 85.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8 the user interface 85 comprises acapacitive touch screen 7. In some examples the user interface 85 mayalso comprise other user input devices such as a keypad, a joystick ornavigation key or a combination of different types of user inputdevices. In some examples the user interface 85 may also comprise useroutput devices such as a display or audio output device or any othersuitable output device.

The capacitive touch screen 7 may comprise any means which may beconfigured to detect conductive objects which are positioned inproximity to the capacitive touch screen 7. The capacitive touch screen7 may be configured to enable a user to make an input into thecommunication device 81 by touching the surface of the capacitive touchscreen 7 with an object or bringing an object into proximity of thesurface of the capacitive touch screen 7. The objects used to make theuser input could be any of a user's fingers including their thumbs or anapparatus 1 as described above.

A cross section through an example capacitive touch screen 7 isillustrated schematically in FIG. 9. The example capacitive touch screen7 comprises a display 15, a sensor array 13 and a protective layer 17.It is to be appreciated that in other examples the capacitive touchscreen 7 may comprise other components.

The display 15 may comprise any means which enables information to bedisplayed to a user of the communication device 81. The information maycorrespond to information which has been read from an apparatus 1 viathe capacitive touch screen 7 and/or information which is stored in thememory circuitry 75 or any other information.

The display 15 may comprise any suitable display such as a liquidcrystal display, light emitting diode, organic light emitting diode,thin film transistor or any other suitable type of display. The display15 may comprise a plurality of pixels. The pixels may be addressedindividually to enable individual pixels or groups of pixels to beilluminated.

The sensor array 13 may be positioned overlaying the display 15. Thesensor array 13 may comprise any means which may be configured to detectconductive objects positioned close to the capacitive touch screen 7.The sensor array 13 may be configured to detect a plurality ofconductive objects positioned close to the capacitive touch screen 7.The sensor array 13 may be configured to detect the plurality of objectssimultaneously.

The sensor array 13 may comprise a layer of capacitive material. In someembodiments of the disclosure the capacitive material may be arranged ina grid or other suitable array. The capacitive material may betransparent to enable the display 15 to be visible though the sensorarray 13. The capacitive material may comprise any suitable materialsuch as indium tin oxide.

When a conductive object is positioned close to the capacitive touchscreen 7 this causes charge to be sourced or sunk by the capacitivesensor array 13 which changes the capacitance of the sensor. Thisenables the conductive object to be detected.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 9 a protective layer 17 is providedoverlaying the sensor array 13 and display 15. The protective layer 17may provide a surface upon which an apparatus 1 may be positioned. Thesurface may be part of the housing 11 of the communication device 81.The controlling circuitry may be provided within the housing 11 of thecommunication device 81.

In some examples the protective layer 17 may form part of a housing ofthe communication device 81. The surface of the protective layer 17 mayform a part of the outer surface of the communication device 81.

The protective layer 17 may be transparent so that the display 15 isvisible through the protective layer 17. The protective layer 17 maycomprise an insulating material.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of controlling an electronic device 71. Themethod comprises, at block 101, detecting an apparatus 1 overlaying acapacitive touch screen 7. The method also comprises, at block 103,determining a position of a switching element 5 within the apparatus 1.At block 105 the method comprises activating the capacitive touch screen7 in a region underneath the switching element to enable data to be readfrom the apparatus 1.

In some examples once the data has been read from the apparatus 1 it maybe displayed on the capacitive touch screen 7.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of providing an apparatus 1. The methodcomprises providing, at block 111 a memory element 3 configured to storeinformation. The method also comprises, at block 113 coupling aswitching element 5 to the memory element 3. The switching element 5 isconfigured to be switched from a first state to a second state inresponse to an input signal provided by a capacitive touch screen 7 andwherein when the switching element 5 is in the second state the data canbe read from the memory element 3 by the capacitive touch screen 7.

Examples of the disclosure provide an apparatus 1 which may bemanufactured using mass production methods. This may enable theapparatus 1 to be manufactured at a low cost. Also the apparatus 1 maybe configured so that the information may be read from the apparatus 1using a capacitive touch screen 7 as a reader. As a capacitive touchscreen 7 may be provided within a device such as a mobile telephone or atablet computer this may enable the information to be easily retrievedfrom the apparatus 1. This makes the apparatus 1 suitable for use as anidentification tag or smart label.

Examples of the disclosure also provide an apparatus 1 with a largestorage capacity as a large number of memory elements 3 can be providedwithin the apparatus 5. As each electrode within the apparatus 1 can beassociated with multiple switching elements 3 and memory elements 5 thismay enable a larger amount of information to be stored in the apparatus1. Also as some of the memory elements 3 may be read simultaneously thismay enable the information to be read quickly.

In this description the term coupled means operationally coupled. It isto be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening elementscan exist (including no intervening elements) between coupled elements.

In some, but not necessarily all, examples there may be provided anelectronic device 71 comprising: means for detecting an apparatus 1overlaying a capacitive touch screen 7; means for determining a positionof a switching element 5 within the apparatus 1; means for activatingthe capacitive touch screen 7 in a region underneath the switchingelement 5 to enable data to be read from the apparatus 1.

As used here ‘module’ refers to a unit or apparatus that excludescertain parts/components that would be added by an end manufacturer or auser.

The term “comprise” is used in this document with an inclusive not anexclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicatesthat X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If it isintended to use “comprise” with an exclusive meaning then it will bemade clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one . . . ”or by using “consisting”.

In this brief description, reference has been made to various examples.The description of features or functions in relation to an exampleindicates that those features or functions are present in that example.The use of the term “example” or “for example” or “may” in the textdenotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features orfunctions are present in at least the described example, whetherdescribed as an example or not, and that they can be, but are notnecessarily, present in some of or all other examples. Thus “example”,“for example” or “may” refers to a particular instance in a class ofexamples. A property of the instance can be a property of only thatinstance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of theclass that includes some but not all of the instances in the class. Itis therefore implicitly disclosed that a features described withreference to one example but not with reference to another example, canwhere possible be used in that other example but does not necessarilyhave to be used in that other example.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in thepreceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should beappreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Features described in the preceding description may be used incombinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certainfeatures, those functions may be performable by other features whetherdescribed or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certainembodiments, those features may also be present in other embodimentswhether described or not.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a memory element configured to store information; and a switching element coupled to the memory element; wherein the switching element is configured to be switched from a first state to a second state in response to an input signal from a capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus and wherein when the switching element is in the second state the memory element is configured to provide at least part of the information in the memory element to the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus; and wherein the memory element and the switching element are configured to enable an electrode to be connected to and disconnected from ground.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the memory element is configured to store identification information.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the memory element comprises a sensor element and is configured to store information obtained by the sensor element.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of memory elements and a plurality of switching elements.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the switching element is configured to be switched from the first state to the second state by light from the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein a plurality of switching elements are provided and different switching elements may be configured to be switched from the first state to the second state by different wavelengths of light.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the switching element comprises a transistor and a switching component.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one reference electrode wherein the reference electrode is configured to enable the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus to determine the positions of the switching elements.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is transparent so that the data obtained by the external capacitive touch screen may be displayed on the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus and viewed through the apparatus.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is part of an identification tag.
 11. A method comprising: providing a memory element configured to store information; and coupling a switching element to the memory element; wherein the switching element is configured to be switched from a first state to a second state in response to an input signal from a capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus and wherein when the switching element is in the second state the memory element is configured to provide at least part of the data in the memory element to the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus; and wherein the memory element and the switching element are configured to enable an electrode to be connected to and disconnected from ground.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the switching element is configured to be switched from the first state to the second state by light emitted from the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the memory element is configured to store identification information.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the memory element comprises a sensor element and is configured to store information obtained by the sensor element.
 15. An electronic device comprising: processing circuitry; memory circuitry including computer program code; and a capacitive touch screen; the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronic device at least to perform: detecting an apparatus external to the electronic device overlaying the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus; determining a position of at least one reference electrode of the apparatus; using the determined position of the at least one reference electrode of the apparatus to determine a position of a switching element within the apparatus; and activating the capacitive touch screen in a region underneath the switching element to enable data to be read from the apparatus by the capacitive touch screen.
 16. An electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein activating the capacitive touch screen external to the apparatus comprises activating pixels in the region of the capacitive touch screen underneath the switching element.
 17. An electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the memory circuitry and the computer program code are configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronic device to determine the position of a plurality of switching elements.
 18. An electronic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the memory circuitry and the computer program code are configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the electronic device to activate areas of the capacitive touch screen underneath the plurality of switching elements sequentially.
 19. A method comprising: detecting an apparatus, external to an electronic device, overlaying a capacitive touch screen of the electronic device; determining a position of at least one reference electrode of the apparatus; using the determined position of the at least one reference electrode of the apparatus to determine a position of a switching element within the apparatus; and activating the capacitive touch screen in a region underneath the switching element to enable data to be read from the apparatus by the capacitive touch screen. 